Pixel array medical devices and methods

Abstract

Systems, instruments, and methods are described in which an apparatus comprises a housing including a scalpet device. The scalpet device includes a scalpet array that includes scalpets arranged in a pattern. The scalpets are deployable from the housing to generate incised skin pixels at a target site. The housing is positioned and the scalpet array is deployed into tissue at the target site. Incised skin pixels are generated when the target site is a donor site, and skin defects are generated when the target site is a recipient site. The incised skin pixels are harvested.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a control device comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end includes an actuator mechanism and the distal end includes a receiver; and 
 a scalpet device configured to be re moveably coupled to the receiver of the control device, wherein the scalpet device includes a substrate and a scalpet array comprising a plurality of scalpets arranged in a configuration on the substrate, wherein a shape of each scalpet is circular, wherein the substrate and the plurality of scalpets are configured to be deployed in response to activation of the actuator mechanism, wherein the plurality of scalpets is configured to generate a plurality of incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed; and 
 a vacuum component. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the control device is configured to be hand-held. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target site includes a donor site, wherein the plurality of incised skin pixels are harvested at the donor site. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the target site includes a recipient site, wherein the incised skin pixels generate skin defects at the recipient site. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , comprising an adherent substrate configured to capture the plurality of incised skin pixels at the donor site and transfer the plurality of incised skin pixels to the recipient site. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the adherent substrate is configured to maintain relative positioning of the plurality of incised skin pixels during transfer to and application at the recipient site. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the adherent substrate is configured to apply the incised skin pixels to the skin defects at the recipient site. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the adherent substrate is configured to align the incised skin pixels with the skin defects at the recipient site. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the adherent substrate is configured to insert each incised skin pixel into a corresponding skin defect at the recipient site. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 4 , comprising at least one bandage configured for application at the target site. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one bandage is configured to apply force to close the target site. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one bandage is configured to apply directional force to control a direction of the closure at the target site. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one bandage includes a first bandage configured for application at the donor site. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one bandage includes a second bandage configured for application at the recipient site. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , comprising an adherent substrate configured to capture the plurality of incised skin pixels. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adherent substrate comprises a flexible substrate. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the adherent substrate comprises a semi-porous membrane. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet device is configured so the scalpet array is deployed from the scalpet device and retracted back into the scalpet device in response to activation of the actuator mechanism. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet device is configured so the scalpet array is deployed from the scalpet device in response to activation of the actuator mechanism. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the scalpet device is configured so the scalpet array is retracted back into the scalpet device in response to release of the actuator mechanism. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet device is configured to transfer a load to subjacent skin surface that includes the target site, wherein the skin pixels are incised by application of the load. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to transfer a load to subjacent skin surface that includes the target site, wherein the skin pixels are incised by application of the load. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet device is configured to be disposable. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet device is configured to be at least one of cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to be disposable. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to be at least one of cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a template configured for positioning at the target site. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 27 , wherein the scalpet device is configured to align with the template. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 27 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to align with the template. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 27 , wherein the template is on a skin surface at the target site. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the template comprises an indicator on the skin surface at the target site. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 30 , wherein the template includes a guide plate configured for positioning at the target site and comprising perforations arranged in a pattern. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array is removeably coupled to the scalpet device. 
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array is disposable. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the at least one scalpet includes a beveled surface. 
     
     
       36. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets includes at least one pointed surface. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets includes at least one needle. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one needle comprises at least one needle including multiple points. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array generates the incised skin pixels using at least one of piercing force, impact force, and rotational force. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array generates the incised skin pixels using radio frequency (RF) energy. 
     
     
       41. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array generates the incised skin pixels using vibrational energy. 
     
     
       42. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one scalpet of the scalpet array comprises a through orifice. 
     
     
       43. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one diametric dimension of each scalpet of the scalpet array is approximately in a range 0.5 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters. 
     
     
       44. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum component is coupled to the control device. 
     
     
       45. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum component is coupled to the scalpet device. 
     
     
       46. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum component is coupled to the scalpet device via the control device. 
     
     
       47. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum component is configured to generate a low pressure zone within at least one of the scalpet device and the control device. 
     
     
       48. The system of  claim 47 , wherein the low pressure zone is configured to evacuate the plurality of incised skin pixels. 
     
     
       49. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a radio frequency (RF) component. 
     
     
       50. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide thermal energy to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide vibrational energy to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide rotational energy to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide acoustic energy to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the control device. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the scalpet device. 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the scalpet device via the control device. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the scalpet array. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the scalpet array via the control device. 
     
     
       59. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to at least one scalpet of the scalpet array. 
     
     
       60. The system of  claim 49 , wherein the RF component is coupled to the at least one scalpet of the scalpet array via the control device. 
     
     
       61. The system of  claim 1 , comprising: a radio frequency (RF) component coupled to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       62. The system of  claim 61 , wherein the vacuum component is configured to generate a low pressure zone within at least one of the scalpet device and the control device. 
     
     
       63. The system of  claim 61 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide energy to at least one of the scalpet device, the scalpet array, and the control device. 
     
     
       64. The system of  claim 63 , wherein the energy comprises at least one of thermal energy, vibrational energy, rotational energy, and acoustic energy. 
     
     
       65. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a guide plate configured for positioning as a template at the target site, wherein the guide plate includes perforations arranged in a pattern. 
     
     
       66. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to align with the perforations in the guide plate. 
     
     
       67. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the scalpet array is applied to a donor site via the perforations in the guide plate, wherein the plurality of skin pixels are incised. 
     
     
       68. The system of  claim 67 , wherein the scalpet array is applied to a recipient site via the perforations in the guide plate, wherein a plurality of skin defects are generated. 
     
     
       69. The system of  claim 68 , wherein the target site includes the donor site and the recipient site. 
     
     
       70. The system of  claim 68 , wherein the plurality of incised skin pixels and the plurality of skin defects are generated according to the pattern. 
     
     
       71. The system of  claim 68 , comprising an adherent substrate configured to capture the plurality of incised skin pixels at the donor site and transfer the plurality of incised skin pixels to the recipient site. 
     
     
       72. The system of  claim 71 , wherein the adherent substrate is configured to maintain relative positioning of the plurality of incised skin pixels during transfer to and application at the recipient site. 
     
     
       73. The system of  claim 68 , wherein the scalpet array is applied to the donor site directly through the perforations and the skin pixels are incised. 
     
     
       74. The system of  claim 68 , wherein the scalpet array is applied to the recipient site directly through the perforations and the skin defects are generated. 
     
     
       75. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the guide plate is at least one of adherent, rigid, semi-rigid, conformable, non-conformable, and non-deformable. 
     
     
       76. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the guide plate includes at least one of metal, plastic, polymer, and membranous material. 
     
     
       77. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the guide plate is configured to transmit a load to a skin surface of at least one of the donor site and the recipient site. 
     
     
       78. The system of  claim 65 , wherein the guide plate is positioned directly on a skin surface at the target site. 
     
     
       79. The system of  claim 78 , wherein the guide plate is configured to extrude the plurality of incised skin pixels. 
     
     
       80. The system of  claim 79 , wherein the plurality of skin pixels are extruded through the perforations in response to an applied load. 
     
     
       81. The system of  claim 79 , wherein the plurality of skin pixels are extruded through the incised skin surface in response to an applied load. 
     
     
       82. The system of  claim 1 , comprising a cutting member. 
     
     
       83. The system of  claim 82 , wherein the incised skin pixels are transected by the cutting member. 
     
     
       84. The system of  claim 83 , comprising an adherent substrate configured to capture the incised skin pixels. 
     
     
       85. The system of  claim 84 , wherein the cutting member is coupled to a frame. 
     
     
       86. The system of  claim 85 , wherein the frame is coupled to a guide plate, wherein the guide plate is configured as a guide for the scalpet device. 
     
     
       87. The system of  claim 85 , wherein the adherent substrate is coupled to at least one of the frame and the guide plate. 
     
     
       88. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incised skin pixels include hair follicles. 
     
     
       89. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skin defects are configured to evoke neovascularization in the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site. 
     
     
       90. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the skin defects are configured to evoke a wound healing response in the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site. 
     
     
       91. A system comprising:
 a control device comprising an actuator mechanism; and
 a scalpet device configured to be removeably coupled to the control device, wherein the scalpet device includes a substrate and a scalpet array comprising a plurality of scalpets arranged in a pattern on the substrate, wherein a shape of each scalpet is circular, wherein the substrate and the plurality of scalpets are configured to at least one of deploy and retract in response to activation of the actuator mechanism, wherein the plurality of scalpets is configured to generate a plurality of incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed.